Researchers concluded this by examining the eating habits of children, ages 2 to 18, using 2003-2010 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Over the period studied, children's consumption of whole fruit increased by 67 percent, while fruit juice consumption dropped 29 percent.

Even with the increase in fruit consumption, a majority of youths are still eating less of it than the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines recommend. And almost all children are falling short on vegetables. Depending on a child's age, USDA guidelines call for 1 to 2.5 cups of fruit a day, and 1 to 4 cups of vegetables. For reference, one cup equals a small apple or about 12 baby carrots.

The researchers found not only that children's vegetable consumption didn't improve over time, but that a lot of the vegetables they did eat weren't the healthiest choices. About 30 percent of the vegetables children reported eating were white potatoes, mainly consumed in unhealthy forms, such as fries or chips.

The research revealed some age and gender gaps. Those 2 to 5 had the greatest ratio of fruit to total daily calories, and youths 12 to 18 had the greatest ratio of vegetables to total calories. Overall, girls ate more vegetables than boys.

The scientists note that school-lunch nutrition standards and other federally subsidized nutrition programs give most children equal access to both fruit and vegetables, but youths tend to prefer the taste of fruit. The report suggests it's easier to incorporate fruit into children's diets because it can be eaten on its own, on the go, or without much preparation.